General Medical Services

The Health & Social Care Board contracts with the Crossgar Surgery Partners to provide services to our patients. The basic service we must provide is detailed in the General Medical Services Contract (NI) agreed in April 2004. If you have any queries about the services under this contract, please ask to speak to Mrs Allison Hamilton (Practice Manager) or contact the GP Unit at:

The Health & Social Care Board
12-22 Linenhall Street
Belfast
BT2 8BS
Tel: 028 9032 1313

We provide all of the essential services and many of the additional services detailed in the contract. We work within the Quality and Outcomes Framework, which directs us towards evidence-based treatment and high standards of care and management. Where possible, we also try to provide additional services for our patients and to respond to public health requests to provide one-off services as required. Where we are unable to provide additional services, it is the responsibility of the Health & Social Care Board to ensure adequate service provision for our patients.

Among the Clinics and Services that the Practice offers to its patients are:

Minor Surgery

Dr Smyth provides a minor surgery service. Clinics run at least monthly. Full confidentiality is assured and all tissue samples removed are sent to pathology for confirmation.

Joint Injections

Dr Smyth also has an interest in joint injections; clinics run at least monthly.  Please make an appointment to discuss this option with one of the GPs

Chronic Disease Clinics

Clinics for the follow-up of Chronic Diseases: Asthma, COPD, Heart Disease, Hypertension, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease

Diabetes Clinic

The diabetes clinic takes place monthly and involves the input from one of the GPs, a diabetes nurse specialist, a podiatrist and a dietitian

Vaccinations & Immunisations

Influenza Vaccination:  If you not yet had your seasonal influenza vaccine please phone the surgery to arrange this.

Travel vaccinations & advice

If you are travelling abroad and wish to discuss travel vaccination requirements; this is not a GMS service and advice should be sought at a local travel clinic.  If you need help locating one ask at reception.  The practice will only provide vaccines available on the NHS

Child Health Surveillance & Childhood Immunisations

The range of nursing services including:

• Spirometry
• ECGs

Cervical Smear Clinic

It is recommended that all female patients between the ages of 25 and 64 have regular smear tests. We will send out invitations at appropriate times for this test, which is carried out by doctors or the Practice Nurse during normal surgery hours. It would be helpful if you could let the surgery know that you are booking an appointment for a smear.

The result of your smear test is posted out to the address we hold for you on computer, unless you tell us otherwise. Results should be received within 6 weeks. If you have not received a letter within 8 weeks, please ring the surgery.

In addition we are allied to a range of other health practitioners and services housed at Crossgar Community Clinic. These include treatment room nursing, District Nursing, Diabetic nurse specialist, Social Work, Health Visitor and Community Psychiatric Nursing.

Other services available within the South-Eastern Trust include:

• Social Services
• Chiropody/Podiatry: self referral form can be collected at reception
• Community Family Planning
• Speech Therapy
• Physiotherapy: self referral can be completed online or collect at reception
• Occupational Therapy
• Orthoptic Clinic
• Community Psychiatric Nurse

Private Fees and Special Medical Examinations

A fee may be chargeable for requests which are not covered under General Medical Services. This may include certain examinations i.e. examinations for insurance or employment purposes, driving license and passport applications, fitness to travel, holiday cancellation forms, completion of private health forms, pre-employment and employment medicals.

For a comprehensive list of charges, please ask at the Reception desk. Fees will be in accordance with standard BMA rates.

Please mention, when booking an appointment, if you require a medical examination (for insurance purposes, driving licences, employment etc) as these require a longer appointment.